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The General Authority of Civil Aviation stated that King Khalid International Airport was subjected to two attacks on October 8, 2026, with the first striking airport facilities and the second hitting a Saudia aircraft. According to the authority’s statement distributed by the Saudi Press Agency, the incidents led to the deaths of three Saudi citizens. Emergency teams and relevant agencies responded immediately in accordance with established protocols and emergency plans.
A GACA assessment indicated that the assaults also caused material damage alongside the human toll. Several Saudi citizens and residents of multiple nationalities suffered injuries that ranged from minor to severe. All those injured received immediate transport to medical facilities for treatment, the authority reported.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation said it is continuing to assess damages while coordinating closely with security bodies to safeguard passengers, staff and the civil aviation network. The authority confirmed that airport operations have been restored and air traffic has returned to normal following the events. Saudi Press Agency dispatches placed the announcement on October 9.
Jordan condemned the attacks on the Saudi airport, terming them a flagrant breach of sovereignty and a threat to stability in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency. The Jordanian foreign ministry spokesperson renewed Amman’s solidarity with Riyadh and voiced condolences to the families of the deceased while wishing recovery for the injured. The United Arab Emirates issued a parallel denunciation through the same channel, highlighting full support for Saudi security measures.
GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, in remarks published by the Saudi Press Agency, described the strikes as terrorist acts by the Houthi militia that endanger civilians and demand a strong international response. He stressed the council’s unified backing for Saudi Arabia in defending its territory, citizens and residents. Albudaiwi extended sympathies to the victims’ families in the statement.
The incidents add to a series of Houthi-claimed actions against Saudi civilian sites documented in earlier Saudi Press Agency releases, which have repeatedly detailed interceptions of drones and missiles aimed at airports and other infrastructure. Saudi air defense forces have maintained a record of neutralizing the majority of such threats, according to official updates. The General Authority of Civil Aviation continues coordination with military and security entities to sustain safe aviation across the kingdom.
